Tsaka urges Hunters to play for each other, with pride

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Sandis Tsaka has called on the SP PNG Hunters to play for each other and represent the country with pride while in Australia for the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season.
With Hunters being separated from PNGRFL as an entity, Tsaka officially addressed the Hunters for the last time on behalf of the country’s rugby league governing body during the team’s farewell.
Tsaka said the investment of time and resources by all stakeholders and the players off the field was to see results at the end of every game but said what was more important was to play for one another on the field.
“Tonight is my last speech to the Hunters and we are proud that we are at the juncture to pass on a very successful club to a group of people that we have every confidence will build on the successes the team has seen thus far,” he said.
“Tonight is my last speech to the Hunters while the new board led by Stan Joyce takes over.
“To the boys (players), it really doesn’t matter whether you are playing at the NFS (Oil Search National Football Stadium) in front of 15,000 fans or whether you’re playing in a park in Brisbane with 500 people.
“When the referee blows time, it’s only you 13 players on your side against 13 players on the other side and the rules are going to be the same.
“To get that 80 minutes on the field, it takes thousands of hours of investment off the field and the work which you and your coach have been through.
“It’s important that you trust the Hunters system and its values and most importantly, trust the man next to you, play for each other.”